CHAPTER THREE

CARMINE BIANCHI

"BRISSA DONATO," I say to the receptionist who took my call. "You haven't heard from her?"

"No, Mr. Bianchi, I'm sorry, would you like to leave a message for her in her room?" the young woman repeats.

"No, that's fine. Thank you."

As I end the call, I notice the bitter taste that has been imprinted in my mouth. I remember the way Brissa's body felt against mine. I can still feel her touch lingering on my skin. Her scent, her soft lips, her thick curls that cascaded down her back as we moved together in perfect harmony.

My mind takes me back to when we first met—the moment I saw her sitting across the bar, she took my breath away. She had a captivating presence that drew me in, and I wanted nothing more than to be near her. Even if for only a night.

"A night..." I chuckle. That's all I had, and like a greedy man, I want more.

The memory of our passionate night together washes over me like waves crashing on a shoreline. The way she moved with such grace and poise, as if she were only meant for me. The desire in each touch and kiss, each look in our eyes that said so much without words—it was like an electric current running through us both.

Then discovering that Brissa had left just a few minutes after our first meeting was a rather unpleasant surprise.

Inside, I wondered if I had done something wrong. I'm not usually a man of doubt, but she has managed to make me wonder if things went too fast between us—fast enough, at least, to scare her off.

I know I tend to be blunt, but all in all, I considered it respectful of me to have asked her all along if she wanted this. And I know she did. Her words of confirmation coupled with her gaze and the way her body clung to mine, are what I choose to believe in and what I hold on to when it comes to knowing that our encounter was mutually enjoyed. That it wasn't just me that felt this connection between us.

But then, why did she leave without even saying goodbye? She didn't even wait for the hour we jokingly said it would take to get intimate.

I had high hopes for her and myself, desiring more time in each other's company. Yet now I'm left feeling bitterly disappointed, with the sensation of defeat pressing down on my chest. Usually, I don't mind if the women I spend time with leave earlier or later, but with Brissa, it's different. Something about her person and her mystery ignited curiosity in me.

Sighing, I plop down on the couch. It's past midnight, and Brissa has been gone for more than two hours, but I'm still waiting to hear from her. I'm still waiting for her to walk through the door at some point and let me quench my thirst for her.

Yet when the elevator doors open it's not Brissa but someone else, someone I didn't expect to hear from so soon.

"Chief Bennett, what brings you here so soon?" I greet him, as I stand up and make my way to the bar.

I know that the chief of the NYPD, John Bennett, is an important man with a strong character who lacks scruples when it comes to issuing orders, but to me, he is just an old and treasured friend. We've gotten into enough trouble together that I don't mind talking in front of him about particularly lurid subjects. "Do you take the same old stuff?" I ask, and he nods.

"Sorry to intrude at this late hour, but I thought you might be interested in the news I have to tell you," he says as he takes a seat across the bar.

I nod. I have made it clear at the front desk that the chief of police is always welcome in my room, no matter what time it is.

"All right, let's hear it," I state as I turn to him and hold out a drink.

John takes a sip of liquor and then after a brief pause, states, "Your uncle has been caught by one of my men making deals with the Mafia again."

"What did he want this time?" I scan through the photos and all the evidence John sends to my cell phone.

"Mainly evidence to frame you for some crime serious enough to put you behind bars for life."

"Interesting," I state as I look at the photos.

"He doesn't know that you are associated with me or my men, of course."

"Nor will he know," I finish as I nod toward Bennett. "I appreciate the information."

"Gratitude is repaid with more than words for this kind of work, Carmine. You know that," states the police chief impassively.

"Of course," I say, sighing and transferring the usual sum to his cryptocurrency account, the ideal way to pay for this kind of service. "Keep your men watching my uncle. I want to know his every move. Make sure this remains our secret."

"That I will, Carmine," John then assures me after standing up.

I follow him, escorting him slowly to the elevator entrance. "Before I go... There is one other thing I want to talk to you about," he states.

"Go ahead," I encourage him.

"There's a possibility that your uncle is trying to get to your contacts in the Mafia," John admits.

"What makes you suspect that?" I inquire, with a raised eyebrow.

The police chief shrugs. "The truth is that it's just a suspicion, but in the last few weeks, we've noticed him going to certain places he didn't frequent before and talking to people he didn't know before. People close to the Mafia. Between you and me, I think he's trying to find out what businesses you're in. He may even plan to get rid of you along the way." he says.

His words should worry me, but instead, they make me laugh. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised. Treachery has always been imprinted in Lucian's character," I joke bitterly. "Anyway, I thank you for the extra information, and I'll pay you well for it, of course."

"No, don't pay until the job is done," John states as he calls the elevator.

I look at him, waiting for him to leave, but at the last minute, a thought crosses my mind that has been bothering me for the last two hours anyway, so I stop the elevator before it closes. "There is another favor I want to ask you," I tell John.

He laughs. "There are no favors between us, Carmine, just work, but go ahead."

"I need information on a person. A woman."

Curious, John raises an eyebrow. "Any particular moves I should know about?"

"Nothing important. Just a woman I've met and want to find."

"Is she staying at the hotel?"

I nod. "She's registered under her company details. I need you to fill in the gaps."

John and I have a long-standing relationship. He knows what I'm asking for and when he's done, I'll know more about her than she does.

"What's her name?"

"Brissa Donato." I pause, stringing together the few details she shared last night and the registration details from the front desk. "She's a marketing strategist for NexTech Digital."

John writes it all down. "Got it. Give me a few hours."

"Appreciate it," I say as I watch him leave.

Curiously, this is not the first time I have investigated a person using my power as the owner of one of the most important hotels in New York City, The Grand Empress Hotel, to work with officials like John, or with people from the underworld whose collaboration always comes at a price. The truth is, I have never questioned my means, but for the first time, I'm applying them to someone who has barely been a part of my personal life for a few minutes.

But there's something about Brissa that has me hooked, something that makes me want to know everything about her. Was it just the sex, or is there more to it? I can't help but wonder what she's doing now, where she is, and who she's with.

As I make my way back to my room, my mind is racing with thoughts of Brissa. I can't help but think about her curves, her scent, and the way her body moved under mine last night. I need to see her again, to feel her skin against mine, to explore every inch of her body. But first, I need to know more about her.

When I get back to my bedroom, I can't resist the temptation to check my phone for any messages from Brissa. But there's nothing. No text, no call, nothing. My disappointment and frustration grow even stronger, but then I remind myself that I have Chief Bennett on the case. He'll find out everything I need to know about her.

I sit on the edge of my bed, thinking about what it would be like to see Brissa again. Would she be happy to see me?

The intrigue she's sparked within me is insistent enough I feel I must indulge this pressure. That I must quench this thirst again, at least one more time.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I can't afford to get distracted, not with my uncle trying to take me down.

I take a quick shower, trying to wash away the tension that's been building up inside me all night. But as soon as I step out of the shower, my phone buzzes. It's a message from Chief Bennett. I quickly scan through the details he's provided. Brissa Donato, 27, originally from Chicago, graduated from DePaul University with a degree in marketing. She's been working for NexTech Digital for the past four years.

I can't help but smile. I finally have the answers I was looking for. But now that I know more about her, the questions only multiply in my mind. What does she like to do? What were her dreams? Who was she when she wasn't working?

The more I flip through the pages of information, the more eager I become to meet Brissa again and ask her all these questions. There's something about her that captivates me, something that keeps me wanting more and more.

But will our paths cross again? Only time will tell...